Track slot fastener

ABSTRACT

A fastener assembly secures loads to a track in a truck bed and is retainable within a track slot of the track. The fastener assembly may include a retainer adapted to fit at least partly within a track slot and a rotatable handle operating on the retainer, the rotatable handle being rotatable between at least an engagement position and a release position. A pressure applicator is positioned between the track and the rotatable handle, the pressure applicator having a bottom surface for applying a pressure on a top surface of the track in response to the position of the rotatable handle. The pressure applicator includes at least one projection projecting from an interior region of the bottom surface and adapted to engage a positioning scallop of the track.

CORRESPONDING RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/336,033 filed on Jan. 3, 2003 and now U.S. Pat. No.6,827,531, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Additionally, the present application is related to U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/874,979 filed on Jun. 7, 2001 and now U.S. Pat. No.6,846,140, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/109,051 filed on Mar. 29,2002 by Mark D. Snyder et al. and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,568, which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fasteners for securing loadsto a track, and more particularly, to adjustable fasteners for securingloads to a track mounted in or near a truck bed.

2. Background of the Invention

Fasteners for securing loads to framing, tracks, and channels have beencommercially available for some time. Some conventional fasteners usedin automotive track applications will be briefly described below.

Conventional track fasteners have been designed to be removable and/orrelocateable along a track slot length. Many of these conventional trackfasteners employ a rotatable locking base portion that engages lockingteeth inside the track slot or on a locking mechanism to securely retainthe fastener within the track slot, and to facilitate relocation alongthe track slot length. These devices, however, can be difficult toinstall and use, which detracts from their desirability in consumerenvironments such as original equipment manufactured (OEM) vehicles suchas pickup trucks, mini-vans, sport-utility vehicles or other vehicles.Often, conventional track fasteners can only be loaded from an end ofthe track slot, because their design does not facilitate top downloading, and are thus difficult to replace if broken. Also problematic,many of these fasteners have limited load capacities, such as fastenersavailable on roof racks, and are thus unsuitable for applications suchas truck beds and cargo areas where heavier loads are placed.

Other conventional track fasteners (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,410,298,4,784,552, and Re. No. 36,681, which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety) have been designed with a center through boltto apply pressure between a top plate mounted above the track slot and abase plate mounted within the track slot. The bolt can be tightened toclamp the fastener in place, thereby securely retaining the fastenerwithin the track slot, or loosened to allow relocation along the trackslot length. Clamp styled fasteners are often used to temporarily attachrails to the top side of a truck bed for tonneau covers and the like,and generally allow relocation along the length of the track slot. Thesedevices, however, often require a user to have a wrench to loosen ortighten the bolt, which detracts from their ease of use.

Thus, a need exists for an improved track slot fastening device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming or at least reducing theeffects of one or more of the problems set forth above and otherproblems in the prior art.

According to embodiments of the invention described below, there isprovided a fastener assembly for securing loads to a track, the fastenerassembly being retainable within a track slot of the track. The fastenerassembly may include a retainer adapted to fit at least partly within atrack slot and a rotatable handle operating on the retainer, therotatable handle being rotatable between at least an engagement positionand a release position. A pressure applicator is positioned between thetrack and the rotatable handle, the pressure applicator having a bottomsurface for applying a pressure on a top surface of the track inresponse to the position of the rotatable handle. The pressureapplicator includes at least one projection projecting from an interiorregion of the bottom surface and adapted to engage a positioning scallopof the track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing advantages and features of the invention will becomeapparent upon reference to the following detailed description and theaccompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fastener assembly according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1mounted on a track slot with the track slot cut in a mid-region to showan interface between the fastener assembly and the track slot;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shaft coupled to a retainer accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a rotatable handle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the rotatable handle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1 viewedfrom plane VII—VII;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1 viewedfrom plane IIX—IIX;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a fastener assembly with ramped or angledportions according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 9viewed from plane X—X.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodimentsof the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will beused throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The following description of the present invention will describeimplementations of the present invention in reference to a track slotused in a truck bed. One such implementation is described in copendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/874,979 filed Jun. 7, 2001 and nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,846,140, by Michael D. Anderson et al., which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Additionalimprovements and variations are described in the aforementionedcorresponding related applications. Other implementations are alsocontemplated, as would be readily apparent to one of skill in the artafter reading this disclosure.

It should be appreciated that the term track slot as used in the presentspecification refers to the entire internal volume of the track. Hence,track slot includes the space substantially between two upper inwardlyprotruding portions at the top of the track, and the volume underneaththe protruding portions to a bottom surface of the track. It should alsobe appreciated that the term load as used in the present specificationrefers to a force applied to a fastener assembly by an object securedthereto. This load may include, for example, a horizontal force actingsubstantially along a plane of a vehicle body, a vertical force actingupwards and away from the aforementioned plane of the vehicle body, or acombination of the two.

A fastener assembly 1000 retainable within a track slot 605 of a track600 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 1 through 8. The fastener assembly 1000 includes a rotatablehandle 1010, such as a thumb-wheel, which is shown best in FIGS. 5 and6. The rotatable handle 1010 is disposed within an outer tie down 1011for securing loads to the fastener assembly 1000. The rotatable handle1010 is operably connected to a retainer 1050 by way of a shaft 1020.Retainer 1050 is configured to function in conjunction with a pressureplate 1040 to apply a mechanical clamping force on the track 600 when inan engaged or locked configuration.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 2, a plurality of projections 1090 are configured to extend from abottom surface 1041 of pressure plate 1040. Preferably, the projections1090 extend from a region located generally in the interior of thebottom surface 1041 of pressure plate 1040. In this configuration, theprojections 1090 may be spaced from one or both of the ends 1042 and1044 of pressure plate 1040 and from one or both of sides 1046 and 1048of pressure plate 1040, or a plurality of combinations thereof. It canbe appreciated that spacing the projections 1090 an approximately equaldistance on opposite sides of shaft 1020 will ensure an equal loaddistribution across the bottom surface of the pressure plate 1040.Preferably, projections 1090 are positioned in a configuration shown inFIG. 2.

The projections 1090 may include four periphery portions 1091 formed ina shape conforming to that of scallops 1095 in track 600 to promoteengagement therebetween and slot guide portions 1093 to further assistin positioning the fitting in the track. A clearance may also beprovided to facilitate ingress and egress of the projections 1090. Inthe embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the scallops arein the shape of a portion of a circle having a radius of about 5 mm(such as 5.37 mm) and thus each of the four periphery portions 1091 arein the shape of a portion of a circle having a radius of about 5 mm. Inthis particular embodiment, the non-scalloped portion of the top of thetrack slot is about 21 mm wide (such as 21.45 mm) and thus portions 1093on each projection 1090 are spaced apart about 21 mm. In this particularembodiment, the centers of curvature of adjacent scallops are about 40mm apart and thus the centers of curvature of the portions 1091 areabout 40 mm apart. Other variations are also plausible, as will bereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading thisdisclosure. For example, the scallops and periphery portions can haveother arc-shaped geometries in addition to circular geometries.Projections 1090 are illustrated to project from pressure plate 1040 atan angle of 90° from the bottom surface 1041. However, it iscontemplated that the projections 1090 may extend at a variety of anglesto increase engagement with corresponding scallops 1095.

As shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, the rotatable handle 1010 may be formedof a multi-piece or multi-section construction. By way of example, therotatable handle 1010 may include a top 1012 including a threaded nut1014, for translating the threaded portion 1025 of shaft 1020, and awasher 1016 which prevents rotation and rocking of shaft 1020. Thismulti-piece or multi-section construction allows the rotatable handle1010 to be easily assembled and manufactured. Also, shown in FIG. 8 arefasteners 1013, which hold the tie-down portion 1011 to pressure plate1040 and a clip 1015 which retains the shaft 1020 to the rest of thefitting.

In order to insert the fastener assembly 1000 in track 600, thelongitudinal axis of the fastener assembly 1000 is initially placedtransverse to the longitudinal axis of the track 600. Next, the retainer1050 is positioned such that the longer axis is oriented parallel to andabove the slot. The retainer 1050 is then placed in the longitudinallyextending slot 605 of the track 600. The fastener assembly 1000 is thenrotated 90° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thusaligning with track 600 so that the retainer 1050 is also rotated 90°.In this manner, the fastener assembly 1000 can be inserted in track 600in a top-down method and easily secured to the track 600.

To secure fastener assembly 1000 to track 600, the fastener assembly1000 is first inserted in the track 600, as described above. Next, thefastener assembly 1000 is placed along the track 600 such thatprojections 1090 engage corresponding scallops 1095 formed in the track600. The rotatable handle 1010 is then rotated clockwise about a centralaxis defined by shaft 1020, which in turn rotates a central threadedportion 1014 of the rotatable handle 1010. Rotation of the rotatablehandle 1010 operates to translate the threaded portion 1025 of shaft1020, thereby translating shaft 1020 relative to rotatable handle 1010.As the shaft 1020 is translated the retainer 1050, which is coupled tothe shaft 1020, contacts a lower surface 610 of a flange 615 formed onthe track 600. The retainer 1050 and pressure plate 1040 combine toexert a clamping force on the track 600, thereby retaining the fastenerassembly 1000 in a secured position on track 600. In this manner, thefastener assembly 1000 can be securely coupled to the track 600 in aplurality of locations along the track 600 for fastening loads thereto.

A fastener assembly 400 retainable within a track slot of a track 110according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. A portion of FIG. 9 viewed from plane X—X is shown ingreater detail in FIG. 10. The fastener assembly 400 according to thisembodiment includes a rotatable handle 410, such as a thumb-wheel,within an outer tie down 411 for securing loads to the fastener assembly400. The rotatable handle 410 operates retainer 450 via shaft 420. Aspring 430 is provided in a space between the rotatable handle 410 and apressure plate 440, such that the spring 430 applies a vertical force ona pin 443 with respect to the pressure plate 440. The pressure plate 440is secured to the tie down 411 by screws 435.

To operate the fastener assembly 400, the rotatable handle 410 includesan angled running surface 445 interfacing pin 443. As the rotatablehandle 410 is rotated between a locked position and a released position,the angled running surface 445 vertically displaces the pin 443 which iscoupled to the retainer 450 by shaft 420. The rotatable handle 410 islimited in vertical displacement due to intersecting a portion of theouter tie down 411.

The interface between the angled running surface 445 and the pin 443 maybe formed to prevent overtightening of the fastener assembly 400 and todefault to a tightened condition during partial tightening of therotatable handle 410. By way of example, the angled running surface 445may include a notch (not shown) for receiving the pin 443 at a loosenedstate near the top of the angled running surface 445. If an operatoronly partially loosens the fastener assembly 400, thereby not engagingthe notch, the spring 430 forces the pin 443 to slide down the angledrunning surface 445 into a tightened or engaged position. To preventovertightening, the spring 430 is configured to apply the maximumretention force on the retainer 450 when the pin 443 is at the bottom ofthe angled running surface 445. Therefore, overtightening may beprevented and default engagement may be achieved by the presentinvention.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. Forexample, other types of retainers such as nuts or other fasteners may beused. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application to enable oneskilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments andwith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedwith reference to the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.

1. A tie-down fitting for a rail system for a vehicle, comprising: amain body including an aperture formed therethrough and with a baseportion that is configured and dimensioned to mate with a rail, the baseportion having opposing first and second ends defining a longitudinaldirection of the base portion; a first tie-down catch projecting outwardfrom the main body beyond the first end of the base portion and a secondtie-down catch projecting outward from the main body beyond the secondend of the base portion, wherein the first and second tie-down catchesproject outward generally in the longitudinal direction of the baseportion, wherein the main body and the first and second tie-down catchesdefine a cleat shape; a locking plate actuable to engage a portion ofthe rail; and a rotatable wheel, rotatable about a rotation axis,disposed in the aperture of the main body and threadably coupled to thelocking plate to actuate the locking plate, the rotation axis beingperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base portion.
 2. Atie-down fitting as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fitting is adaptedto engage a positioning scallop of the rail.
 3. A tie-down fitting asset forth in claim 1, wherein the locking plate is generally rectangularin shape with at least two rounded corners.
 4. A tie-down fitting as setforth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of projectionsextending from the main body to mate with the rail.
 5. A tie-downfitting as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main body has a generallyD-shaped cross section.
 6. A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 5,wherein the generally D-shaped cross section comprises an arcuate upperportion interconnecting the first and second catches.
 7. A tie-downfitting as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a spring to urge thelocking plate toward the main body and into engagement with the rail. 8.A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 1, wherein a longest axis ofthe locking plate is oriented generally perpendicular to the rail whenthe tie-down fitting is secured to the rail.
 9. A truck bed comprising:a tie-down fitting and rail as set forth in claim
 1. 10. A tie-downfitting as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least oneprojection extendable in a space between flanges of the rail when thefitting is attached to the rail to guide the fitting.
 11. A tie-downfitting as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fitting is configured fortop-down loading.
 12. A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 1,wherein the fitting is configured to be top-down loaded into the railand then turned 90°.
 13. A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 1,wherein a diameter of the rotatable wheel is larger than a width of themain body.
 14. A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 5, wherein themain body is configured to be a tie-down point.
 15. A tie-down fittingas set forth in claim 1, wherein the fitting further comprises aplurality of slot guide portions extending from the main body to guidethe fitting with respect to the rail.
 16. A tie-down fitting as setforth in claim 1, wherein the first tie-down catch and the secondtie-down catch project outward from the main body in directionssubstantially parallel to a major axis of the rail when the tie-downfitting is secured to the rail.
 17. A tie-down fitting as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the base portion is formed of a first piece of materialand the catches are formed of a second piece of material and the firstand second pieces of material are fastened together by at least onefastener.
 18. A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising a second aperture located in the main body above therotatable wheel.
 19. A tie-down fitting as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising: a knob on an end of the first tie-down catch which is notconnected to the main body and a knob on an end of the second tie-downcatch which is not connected to the main body.